Method and apparatus for near video on demand

Abstract

A master scheduler system and method automatically operate and / or coordinate operation of a plurality of relatively independent systems, including manual systems, to function as an NVOD system to provide automating diverse operations for supporting and maintaining an NVOD system. The master scheduler system and method may also be applied to automate manual processes of analog-based and digital broadcast based service. The master scheduler receives, processes, and disseminates NVOD schedule-related information for end-to-end NVOD service; that is, sending video from a back-end which stores video data to a head-end for viewing by a user. The master scheduler also provides operations support for the NVOD system, such as maintaining the head-end configuration, allocating channels, performing asset management, performing content management, etc. The master scheduler provides validation of scheduling information by comparing information such as programmed schedules, asset metadata, and data obtained by measuring asset parameters, for example duration.

Description

[0001]This application claims the benefit of the filing dates of provisional patent application No. 60 / 067,452, filed Dec. 4, 1997, and provisional patent application No. 60 / 070,106, filed Dec. 31, 1997, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]This disclosure relates generally to the field of video distribution over a network, and in particular to a scheduling apparatus and method for providing near video on demand over a distribution network.[0004]2. Description of Related Art[0005]When using a near-video-on-demand (NVOD) system, a user such as a subscriber has the opportunity to purchase or rent videos such as movies, including recent hit movies, using a broadcast technique known as staggered start. In a staggered start video distribution, a plurality of video signals, each of which corresponds to a single movie, is transmitted on multiple channels, with the beginning of each video signal starting at a diff...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013]In the prior art, scheduling information was typically keyed in manually. Video tapes were played according to the scheduling information. Since a video tape had to be played to determine the duration of the video program recorded on the video tape, the duration of the video program could not be confirmed prior to playing of the video tape. Also, since each playing of an analog video tape tends to degrade the quality of the recorded video program, attempting to play the video tape in advance so as to determine the duration of the video program has the negative side effect of greatly accelerating tape degradation.

[0016]Embodiments of the present invention are able to provide for reception, modification, validation, and propagation of scheduling information and for propagation of information, such as billing information, program guide information, and factoid information to various systems. Embodiments of the invention also allow coordination between these various systems and modification of information in a manner that ensures consistency of the information among the various systems. Embodiments of the invention allow easier performance of administrative functions by avoiding the need for extensive manual entry of information and entry of information into multiple systems.

Problems solved by technology

Also, since each playing of an analog video tape tends to degrade the quality of the recorded video program, attempting to play the video tape in advance so as to determine the duration of the video program has the negative side effect of greatly accelerating tape degradation.

Without being able to confirm the duration of the video programs to be shown, the prior art systems cannot validate the scheduling information, i.e. they cannot confirm that the video programs will, when played according to the scheduling information, provide continuous video program material without temporal gaps and without temporal overlap.

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